Hubble captures deep space color

(NEWS CENTER) -- Hubble Space Telescope astronomers have put together a comprehensive picture of the universe with what scientists are calling the most colorful deep space images ever captured by the 24-year-old telescope.

Researchers said the image provides the missing details about star formation. The photo captures ultraviolet light. Scientists can examine which galaxies are forming stars and where the stars are forming within those galaxies by looking at the different wavelengths.

"The lack of information from ultraviolet light made studying galaxies in the HUDF like trying to understand the history of families without knowing about the grade-school children," said principal investigator Harry Teplitz of Caltech in Pasadena, California. "The addition of the ultraviolet fills in this missing range."

Ultraviolet light comes from the hottest, largest, and youngest stars.